Let Me Share a Secret with You! Teaching with Computers.

The author describes her experiences teaching a computer-enhanced Modern Poetry course. The author argues that using computers enhances the concept of the classroom as learning community. It was the author's experience that students' postings on the discussion board created an atmosphere that encouraged student involvement, as opposed to the traditional environment in which the instructor maintains an authoritative control over the classroom. The author also suggests that students use Web sites to enhance their learning, rather than as a source for plagiarism, as some educators fear. The computers facilitated group work, allowing for less instructor feedback, and more from peers, which in turn helped students to be more accountable for their work. In addition, through postings, the weaker students can learn to imitate stronger verbal skills, and can learn more appropriate ways to present their own work and critique that of others. The paper suggests that the instructor needs to be clear about the desired outcomes of the course, the guidelines for participation, and thoughts and questions to generate during discussion. In addition, there should be a balance between the facilitator and the participants' interactions. The learning community brought together by computer-enhanced instruction changes the attitudes of both students and instructors. (NB)